In the never ending quest for perfection, reading is just as important as writing. If you seek to refine your writing skills or understand more about the world of writing children’s literature, there are quite a few resources available to you that focus on writing for children.

How to Write a Children’s Book and Get It Published – Barbara Seuling
I purchased this book when it first came out in 1984. Pages are dog-eared and passages are highlighted. Happily, it has been updated to accommodate changes that have occurred in the industry over the last twenty years. The book is full of insightful information any children’s writer can appreciate. The writer presents the material in a frank but personal manner that makes the reader feel at ease.

How to Write a Children’s Picture Book, Volume I – Heidi Bine-Stock
This is a new addition to my collection, and I must say this book is fascinating. Unlike the type of “how to book” you may already own, the author deals specifically with structure in this volume. She uses popular children’s books – The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where the Wild Things Are, The Carrot Seed – and examines each one in terms of the type of structure employed. This book will force you to look at writing for children a little differently. I found myself compelled to read many of the selections repeatedly, simply because I wanted to thoroughly understand where the author was coming from in her analysis.

You Can Write Children’s Books -- Tracey E. Dils
This is a Writer’s Digest Book and the author has packed it full of examples including everything from cover letters to requesting guidelines in a professional manner. This is an easy, informative read. Reading this book reminded me of sitting with more experienced writers and listening to their best advice. Dils provides valuable information about submitting your manuscript as well as vocabulary and grammar lessons. She also offers a “Tips from the Top” section at the end of each chapter providing a quick reference about the topics covered.